Zechariah3

Zechariah sees a vision of Joshua the High Priest, accused by Satan before the Angel of the LORD. The LORD rebukes Satan and commands Joshua's filthy garments, symbolizing iniquity, to be removed and replaced with clean raiment, signifying purification. Joshua is then charged to walk in God's ways, and the vision concludes with a prophecy of the coming "BRANCH" and the removal of the land's iniquity in one day.

The Vision of Joshua and Satan

1
He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the LORD’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. ​
2
The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Yes, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?” ​
3
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. ​
4
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off of him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.” ​
5
I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and the LORD’s angel was standing by. ​

A Charge to the Restored Priest

6
the LORD’s angel protested to Joshua, saying,
7
“Thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by. ​

The Promise of the Branch

8
Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men who are a sign: for, behold, I will bring out my servant, the Branch. ​
9
For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says the LORD of Hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. ​
10
In that day,’ says the LORD of Hosts, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’” ​

Study Notes for Zechariah 3

Verse 1

This vision takes place in a heavenly courtroom setting. Joshua the High Priest represents the entire restored community of Israel, standing accused. Satan (Heb. *śāṭān*, 'the adversary') acts as the prosecuting attorney.

Verse 2

The LORD defends Joshua, not based on merit, but on divine election and grace. 'A brand plucked out of the fire' is a metaphor emphasizing that Israel’s survival through the Babylonian Exile was a near-miracle achieved solely by God’s intervention (cf. Amos 4:11).

Verse 3

The 'filthy garments' symbolize the collective sin, guilt, and spiritual impurity of the nation, which Joshua bears as the representative High Priest, making him unfit for service.

Verse 4

This declarative act signifies instantaneous justification and cleansing. The removal of the filthy garments and the promise of new robes demonstrate God’s power to forgive sin and restore the priestly office.

Verse 5

The 'fair mitre' (Heb. *ṣānîp*) is the turban of the High Priest, essential for his office (Ex. 28:36-39). The restoration of this sacred attire confirms Joshua’s full reinstatement into priestly holiness and authority.

Verse 7

Joshua’s restoration is conditional upon obedience. If he remains faithful ('keep my charge'), his reward includes authority over the Temple ('judge my house') and access to the heavenly council ('places to walk among these that stand by').

Verse 8

Joshua and his companions are 'men wondered at' (or 'signs/portents'), serving as prophetic symbols pointing toward a greater future reality. The 'BRANCH' (Heb. *ṣemaḥ*) is a key messianic title referring to the future Davidic King who will establish justice and peace (cf. Jer. 23:5; Zech. 6:12).

Verse 9

The 'stone' likely refers to the foundation stone of the rebuilt Temple, but here symbolizes the messianic foundation upon which redemption rests. 'Seven eyes' represents the perfect, all-seeing providence of God. The promise to 'remove the iniquity of that land in one day' anticipates a decisive, singular act of atonement through the Branch.

Verse 10

This verse uses the classic prophetic imagery of 'under the vine and under the fig tree' (cf. Mic. 4:4) to depict the security, prosperity, and peace that will characterize the Messianic Age after sin has been removed.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options